Separable fastener



F. WASCHICZECK 1,839,068

SEPARABL'E FASTENER Filed July 23; 1929 E t: 7 LEE l II 7 v//7//e/7f0/";

Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE FRITZ WASGHICZECK,OI NAUMIBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THE FIRM OTTO SCHUIBERT &SOHN, OF NA'UMBURG, GERILANY sErAnABLn rAsTEima Application filed July28, 1929, Serial No. 380,274, and in Germany Decenibcr lO, 1928.

The present invention relates to a separable fastener constructioncomprising separable metallic fasteners particularly those of the typeknown as multiple operated fasteners which are ada ted to be arran ed inrows along portlons of pieces of fabric and to be interlocked andreleased upon operation of a manually movable slide. I

Fasteners of this type are ordinarily clam d or attached to a reinforcededge of a strip of fabric in such a way that portions of the fastenersextend beyond theedge of the fabric, said projecting or free portionsbeing configured to coact with corresponding free or rojecting fastenerelements carried at the e ge of a corresponding strip of fabric toestablish an interlock between the two.

The top and bottom surfaces .'of the fastener elements are elevated withrelation to the fabric at those portions of the fastener elements whichare anchored in the fabric, this elevated portion being engaged by aslide member operable upon movement in one direction to cause theelements to interlock and, upon movement in the other direction, tocause the release of such elements. The slide member, as shown forexample in Pat ent No. 1,243,458 and others of a similar type, isprovided in its interior with cam surfaces to assure the establishmentin every position' of the slide ofan angular relation be,- tween thefree ends of the fastener elements appropriate to cause an interlockingor an un ocking within the slide of the elements according to thedirection in whichthe slide is being moved. Fasteners of this kind havegone into extensive use, but for any urposes and in many ways they areno entirely satisfactory. For example, as the fastener elements areusually exposed to view, they have failed to again favor whereverneatness and beauty were of prime importance as in ladies hand bags,garments, etc. Since the fastener elements are exposed, the must be madeof rust-proof material or e plated with an oxidation andfriction-resisting metal which reatly increases the cost 'ofmanufacture.

urtherlnore, whenv such fasteners are .used in connection with articleswhich, as

the longltudinal edges 0 contiguous in the case of over-shoes,are'subjected to clogging by dirt or ice,.pro er operation of the slideis frequently inter ered with.

To overcome such difficulties it has been heretofore proposed to provideflaps adapted to overlie the fastener elements, so that they might becovered in the interlocked position. In such constructions the flapswere attached either to the fabric strip on which the fastener elementswere mounted, beyond the attached edges of the latter, or to thematerial (such as the upper part of an overshoe) to which the fabricstrips were conj nected. In such arrangements the slide engages theelevatededges of the fastener elements (as in the older exposed type offasteners) and is positioned between such elements 'and the coverinflaps so that the upstanding lug to whic the slide-operating fingerpiece is generally attached lies between and engages the edges of theflaps. In such constructions the repeated movement of the slide and ofthe upstanding lug thereof tended to fray the flaps and to urge theflaps away from the rows of fastener elements and to cause thecontiguous flap edges to curl away from each other so that a continuingnice fit between the flaps was rendered im-- possible and the fastenerelements remain at least in part constantly .exposed while the combinedstructure exhibited an unsightly appearance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combinationwherein fastener elements of the indicated type are reliabl effectively,and permanently enclosed an protected by a tough esthetically appearingmaterial which will not only permit proper operation of the metallicfastener elements but will tend todassure stabilit of their relativeositions an ersistence 0 pro roperating onditions so that the devicewill not be unfavorably affected, notwithstanding repeated operation ofthe slide. In particular, it is an object of the present invention torovide a fastener strip construction of sue ture that a protectingmaterialiis closely as a na-' sociated with the fastener elements so asto extent that upon interlock of mating fastener elements the free edgeportion of the covering material carried by the two strips will makecontact'with each other. It is also an object of the present inventionto equip fastener strips of the kind in question with a reliableprotective covering material which functions operatively between theplanes of the upper and lower inner surfaces of the slide, so that theslide embraces and travels over the whole of the protective materialinstead of moving beneath any flaps or exterior coverings.

It is also an object of the present invention to rovide separable stripswith covering materlal which will serve to reinforce the fabric-attachedportions of the fastener elements and will provide a resilient massentirely enclosing the roots of the fastener elements and simultaneouslyserving to maintain and to reestablish the position of the fastenerelements with relation to the fabric. In the preferred form of theinvention the covering material is composed of rubber which isvulcanized upon the roots of the fastener elements and to the supportingfabric strip, so that the roots of the elements are embedded in therubber mass while the free ends of the covering material overlie aportion of the free ends of the fastener elements being separatedtherefrom, however, to permit the necessary movement of the interlockingportionsof the fastener elements during the process of looking orunlocking.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coveredfastener element strip which is neat and substantially flat inappearance and capable of ornamental and decorative treatment, so thatthe same'may lie used with satisfaction on high grade articles and inconspicuousplaces, the covering material being capable of treatment tocause it toharmonize with the material of the article to which it isapplied. It is a feature of the present invention that the metal ofwhich the fastener elements are composed need not be electro-plated orprovided with a corrosion-resisting surface, since the metal elements ofwhich the fasteners are made are completely enclosed or concealed, sothat they can be made of brass or similar material without interferingwith the effectiveness or sightliness of the product.

An embodiment of the inventionis illustrated by way of example in theaccompanysection on line A-B of Fig. 1.

The numerals 1-1 indicate a strip of fabric of any suitable typeprovided with a reinforced edge to which the fastener elements 3 areattached in any known manner. The

fabric strips 1 are designed to be sewn on otherwise attached to alongitudinal edge of an opening in a garment or other article, whichopenmg is to be opened or closed at will by the o eration of the slide4.

In the pre erred form of the present invention the rows of fastenerelements 3 are encased at the roots thereof b a pliable coveringsubstance, such as rub er, vulcanized upon said fastener elements, andupon the fabric, and forming the strips 22 which, as illustrated in Fig.2, are of substantially rectangular cross-section. As shown in Fig. 1these stri s 2 extend in the direction of the free ends of the fastenerelements but terminate at their free ed es before reaching the extremefree ends 0 the fastener elements. These free ends of the coverinmaterial are disconnected from the forwar or free ends of the fastenerelements, while at the root ends of the fastener elements the coveringmaterial completely encloses and is attached to the fastener elements.The resilient or elastic covering material is thus positioned directlyupon and between the roots of the fastener elements 3. When the coverstrips 2 are made of rubber or similar material, they maybe vulcanizedinto a continuous, homogeneous structure which thereby becomespermanently attached to the fastenerelements-supporting strip or base 1and to the roots or attached portions of the fastener elements. In thismanner an effective reenforcement for the fastener elements is provided,so that loosening of such elements after continuous use, is prevented.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the cover strips are so formed that they providea raised face rising from the supporting strip 1, said face functioningas a guide for the slide 4 and aiding it in its movement. Due to thefact that the slide thus engages a continuous stri of soft but-toughmaterial such as vulcanized rubber, the action of the slide is verysmooth and practically noiseless It will also be clear from Fig. 1 thata portion of the slide passes between the abutting edges of the rubberstrips to cause engagement and disengagement of the fastener elements,yet the slide at all times tends to keep the rubber strips fiat andprevents their curling away from each other.

k The cover strips can be made very flat and as they may consist ofrubber or similar plastic material which is not unpleasant to the touchand is a poor conductor of heat,

the new fastener strip can be comfortably employed in undergarments orthe like. Due to the method of construction involved in the new strip,there are no rough or cutting dirt or ice reaching the fasteners andclogging the same, because the contiguous edges tion and withoutdeparting from its spirit.

I claim: 1. A separable fastener, comprising, in

combination, two opposite fabric edges, two' opposite groups of fastenerelements supported respectively on said fabric edges and adapted toengage with one another, a cover of elastic material on each fabric edgeand on each group of fastener elements at the attached portions of saidelements, and there filling the gaps between said elements and extendingat least partly over the free ends of the latter, and a slide grippingovers-aid covers of the opposite groups of fastener elements.

2. A separable fastener, as specified in claim 1, wherein said coversare made of rubber and are vulcanized to the fabric.

3. The combination with a pair of adj acent rows of fastener elementsadapted to be interlocked with each other to close an openingtherebetween and a supporting base for each of said rows of elements,such supporting bases lying in substantially the same plane. of asection of pliable material attached to the supporting base and to theroots of the elements attached to said base, said pliable materialoverlying each of said rows of elements and being of such width and sorelated as to cover completely, in abutting relation, both rows offastener elements when the latter are interlocked, and aslide engagingover said sections of pliable material and adapted, when moved, to passover the whole of said pliable material. y

4. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising supporting strips having confronting strip edges, lying insubstantially the same plane, a row of fastener elements on each, of theconfronting strip edges, a strip of pliable protecting material overlyinroot portions of the fastener elements in eac row, and an operatingslide embracing the rows of elements and overlying saidstrips' ofpliable material.

5. A fastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated type,comprising supporting edges having confronting fabric edges, a row offastener elements permanently attached to each of the confronting fabricedges, an elastic protecting strip of rubber cemented to the fabricedges and to the root portions of the fastener elements in each row, soas to form a permanent union between the fastener elements and thefabric, and an operating slide embracing the rows of elements andsubstantially enclosing said strips of protecting materia r 6. Afastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated type comprisingsupportingstrips having confronting stri edges, a row offastenerelements on each 0 the confronting strip edges, a strip of pliableprotecting material overlying in attached relation the root portions ofthe fastener elements in each row and overlying in unattached relation apart of each of the fastener elements extending from the strip edges.and extending toward but not quite up to the free end portions of 'thefastener elements and. an operating slide embracing therows of elementsand overlying said strips of pliable material.

7. A fastener structure of the interlocking,

slide-operated type, comprising supporting strips having confrontingstrip edges lying in substantially the same' plane, a row of fastenerelements on each of the confronting strip edges, a strip of pliableprotecting material overlying root portions of the fastener elements ineach row, and an operating slide having members'overlying andsubstantially enclosing the rows of fastener elements and the whole ofthe pliable strips so that during slide movement the elements and thepliable strips pass within the slide. Y

8. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising supporting strips having confronting strip edges, a row offastener elements on each of the confronting strip edges, a strip ofpliable protecting material overlying root portions of the fastenerelements in each row, and an operating slide embracing the rows ofelements and overlying said strips of pliable material, inward edges ofthe pliable strip being located to expose only short free end portionsof the fastener elements to permit interlocking.

9. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising supporting strips having confronting strip edges, a row offastener elements on each of the confronting strip edges, a strip ofpliable protecting material overlying root portions of the fastenerelements in each row, an operating slide embracing the rows of elementsand overlying said strips of pliable material, inward fastener elementson each of the confronting strip edges, a strip of pliable protectingmaterial overlying root portions of the fastener elements in each row,and an operating slide having members overlying and substantiallyenclosing the rows of fastener elements and the pliable strips so thatduring slide movement the elements and pliable strips pass. within theslide, inward edges of the protecting strips being located to exposeonly short free end portions of the fastener elements to permitinterlocking and so that said strip edges are brought into engagementwhen the structure is in locked condition.

11. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips lyingin substantially the same plane, arow of astener elements on an edge of each strip, the root portions ofsaid elements being engaged on the strip and interlocking formations ofthe elementsprojecting from the strip edge, an enclosing and protectingstrip of flexible material overlying and substantially enclosing theroot portions ofeach row of fastening elements, and an operating slidehaving members formed toproduce interlocking action and tosubstantiallyembrace the rows of fastening elements and the protectingstrips which move within and through the slide as the latter isoperated.

12. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips lying in substantially the same plane, arow of fastener elements on an edge 0 each strip, the root portions ofsaid elements being engaged on the strip and interlocking formations ofthe elements projecting from the strip edge, an enclosing and protectingstrip of flexible material overlying and substantially enclosin the rootportions of each row of fastening e ements, and an operating slidehaving members formed to produce interlocking action and tosubstantially embrace the rows of fastening elements and the protectingstrips which move within and through the slide as the latter isoperated, the protecting strips being of a width to overlie longitudinalzones of the base strips adj aceiit'. the roots of the fastenerelements.

13. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips, a row of fastener elements on an edgeofeach strip, the root portions of said elements being engaged on thestrip and in terlocking formations of the elements pro jecting from thestrip edge, an enclosing and protecting strip offlexible materialoverlying and substantially enclosing the root portions of each row offastening elements,'and an operating slide having members formed toproduce interlocking action and to substantially embrace the rows offastening elements and the protecting strips which move within andthrough the slide as the latter is operated, the protecting strips beingof a width to overlie longitudinal zones of the from the strip edge, anenclosing and protecting strip of flexible material inherently enclosingthe root portions and having an extension section overlying all theunenclosed portions of the fastener element except the free tip endsthereof and an operating slide having members formed to produce interlocking action'and to substantially embrace the rows of fasteningelements and the protecting strips which move within and through theslide as the latter is operated.

15. A fastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips, a row of fastener elements on an edge ofeach strip, the root portions of said elements being engaged on thestrip and interlocking formations of the elements projecting from thestrip edge, a strip of rubber composition overlying and substantiallyenclosing the root portions of each row of fastening elements andcemented to said root portions and to the adjacent fabric strip portionsto assist in holding said fastener elements in proper spaced relation,and an operating slide having members formed to produce interlockingaction and to substantially enclose or embrace the rows of fasteningelements and the rubber strips which move within and through the slideas the latter is operated.

16. A fastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips, a ro'w of fastener elements on an edge ofeach strip, the root portions of said elements being en aged on thestrip and interlocking formatlons of the elements projecting from thestrip edge, a strip of rubber composition overlying and substantiallyenclosing the root portions of each row of fastening elements andcemented to said root portions and to the adjacent fabric strip portionsto assist in holding said fastener elements in proper spaced relation,and an operating slide having members formed to produceinter-lockingaction and to substantially enclose or embrace the rows offastening elements and the rubber strips which move within and throu hthe slide as the latter is operated, the rub er strips being of a widthto overlie longitudinal zones of the base strips adjacent the roots ofthe fastenerelements.

17 A fastener structure of the interlockedge of each strip, the rootportions of said elements being engaged on the strip and interlockingformations of the elements projecting from the strip edge, a strip ofrubber composition overlying and substantially enclosing the rootportions of each row of fastening elements, and an operating slidehaving members formed to produce interlocking action and tosubstantlally enclose or embrace the rows of fastening elements and therubber strips which move within and through the slide as the latter isoperated, the rubber strips being of a width to overlie longitudinalzones of the base strips adjacent the roots of the fastener elements,and the free edges of the protecting strips being adjacent the free endportions of the fastener elements and positioned to be brought into firmengagement when the structure is in locked condition.

18. A fastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips, a row of fastener elements on an edge ofeach strip, the root portions of said elements being engaged on thestrip and interlocking formatlons of the elements projecting from thestrip edge, a strip of rubber composition enclosing the root portionsand having an extension section overlying all the unenc osed portions ofthe fastening elements except the free tip ends of each row and anoperating slide having members formed to produce interlocking action andto substantially enclose or embrace the rows of fastening elements andthe rubber strips which move within and through the slide as the latteris operated.

19. A fastener structure of the interlock ing, slide-operated type,comprising supporting strips'lying in substantially the same plane a rowof fastener elements on each of the fronting strip edges, a strip ofpliable protecting material of substantially rectangular cross-sectionand overlying root portions of the fastener elements in eachrow andcemented to said root portions and to the adjacent fabric strip portionsto assist in holding said fastener elements in proper spacedrelation,and an operating slide embracing the rows of elements andoverlying said strips of pliable material.

20. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising fabric base strips lying in substantially the same plane, arow of fastener elements on an edge of each strip, the root portions ofsaid elements being engaged on the strip and interlocking formations ofthe elements projecting from the strip edge, an enclosing and protectingstrip of flexible material of substantially rectangular cross-sectionoverlying and substantially enclosing the root por tions of each row offastening-elements, and cemented to said root portions and to the adjacent fabric s trip rtions to assist in holding said fastener e ementsin proper spaced relation and an operating slide having members formedto produce interlocking action,

and tosubstanti'ally embrace the rows of fastening elements and theprotecting strips which move within and through the slide as the latteris operated.

21. In combination with an interlocking fastener of the type disclosed,comprising base strips lying in substantially the same plane, rows offastener elements thereon and an operating slide, strips of flexiblematerial on the base strips and overlying root portions of the fastenerelements, the slide bein formed to substantially enclose the flexib estrips which move through it as it is operated.

22; A fastener structure of the interlock-- ing slide-operated type,comprising supporting strips having confronting strip edges lying insubstantially the same plane, a row of fastener elements on eachof theconfronting strip edges, pliable protecting material supported from eachof the confronting strips, and an operating slide embracin the rows ofelements'and so much of the pliable material as can be accommodated bythe slide,

whereby when the slide is in operation it will successively embrace andpassover continuous sequences of the fastener elements and succesiveportion of the pliable material.

23. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising sup porting strips having confrontin strip edges, a row offastener elements on eac of the confronting strip edges, a strip 'ofpliable material overlying root portions of the fastener elements ineach row and an operating slide having passages therethrough for thefastener elements as well as for the protecting material, said passagesbeing composed of a channel longitudinal of the rows of fastenerelements and of two connecting channels extending angularly from thelongitudinal channel, said channels being so dimensioned terial situatedon the opposite confronting strip edges of the supporting strips.

24. A fastener structure of the interlocking, slide-operated type,comprising supporting base strips, a row of fastener elements at an edgeof each of said strips, a'strip of pliable protecting material overlyinroot portions of the fastener elements in eac row and attached along oneedge to said base strips, the other edges of .said protecting stripsbeing free, said' latter strips being so dimensioned that when the rowsof fastener elements are interlocked the free ends of such strips engageeach other in abuttin relation and an operating slide embracing t e rowsof fastener elements andoverlying said strips of pliable material.

25. A fastener structure as set forth in claim 24, wherein the fastenerelements project beyond the free edges of the protecting strips andwherein the slide includes a fastener separating member arranged toengage the ends of the fastener elements during t e opening movementwithout engaging the free edges of said protecting strips.

26. A fastener structure of the interlocking slide-operated typecomprising supporting base strips, a row of fastener elements attachednear an edge of each of said strips, a strip of pliable protectingmaterial connected wit such strips, and overlying portions of thefastener elements in each row and terminating in free edges, saidprotecting strips being so dimensioned that when the rows of fastenerelements are interlocked the free edges of the protecting strips engageeach other in abutting relation, and an operating slide embracing boththe rows of fastener elements and said strips of pliable material.

27. A fastener structure comprising two supporting strips, each havingassociated therewith, at both sides adjoining one of its edges,thickened sections of rubber-like material, each section having ashoulder set back from said edge, a slide embracing all of such sectionsat the four said shoulders thereof, one part of said slide beingapproximately as wide as the sum of the widths of two of the thickenedsections of the two strips between their opposed shoulders when the twostrips are in connected relation, another part of t e slide havingdiverging side walls confining each of the sections from its shoulder toits free edge during' the stage where the two strips are in disconnectedrelation, and means situated between the opposite sections of each stripadapted to form an interlock as the action of the slider walls againstthe shoulders the row by two such rigid elements, said supportinsections adapted to be manipulated for e ectin interlock therebetween bythe coercive action of a slide against the rubber sections. a

' In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' FRITZ WASCHICZECK.

of the thickened sections forces the latter into parallel relation.

28. A fastener structure comprising two supporting strips, each havingassociated therewith, a thickened rubber-like section arranged formating contact, complementary interlocking structures concealed withinsaid sections when mated and comprising a row of elements within theedge portioniof one of said sections, said elements having projectionsthereon, and a row of elements having receivingand retaining recesses inthe other of said sections, said last named row being defined at leastin part by elements composed of material more rlgid than saidrubber-like sections and embedded within, supported in proper positionby, and anchored in the confines of the rubber section and extendingtransversely of the row, whereby each of the successive recesses isbounded lengthwise of

